The Jade Dragon: Chapter 20

I'm about a 4 hour walk from Umiton when I wake up.  I did my morning routine and put on a white dress that opened at my thighs with blue lining, white sleeves with blue hems that went from my wrists to above my elbows, a blue ribbon choker, two gold bracelets on each wrist, white high heels, and a blue hair bow.  I then put on my cloak that my mother made me, packed up my tent, and headed down the road to Umiton.

Four hours later, I arrived at Umiton.  I went to the market to stock up on supplies that I need to make outfits, jewelry, and shoes.  I then headed towards the harbor to charter a boat that I could use to get to Kaze Island.  Then, out of the blue, someone bumps into me.  I look to see who it was.  Although I didn't remember him, the person was Hisii.

“Hello Ayra.” he said.

“How do you know my name?” I asked, since I didn't remember him.

'He creeps me out.  I need to get away fast.' I thought.

“You don't remember me?” Hisii asked, looking confused.

“No, should I?” I asked.

'He must have erased her memory to hide his identity.' Hisii thought.

“Must be a mistake than.” Hisii replied.  “I apologize for bumping into you.  Can I treat you to lunch to make it up to you?”

“No thank you.” I said.  “I have to be going, and my mother told me not to accept offers from strangers.”

'Hmm, this is going to be harder than last time.' Hisii thought.

“Well, can I escort you to your destination?” Hisii asked.

“I'll be okay on my own.” I replied.

I started to walk away.  Then, something struck the back of my neck and I passed out.  When I came to, I was in a huge bed with black sheets, which was in a huge room with all the things girls, including me, love everywhere, and black furniture.  I then realized that my cloak was missing.  I looked around and saw it hanging on a black hook next to the door.  Thankfully, my bag was still on my back, since Okaa-sama enchanted it so that only I could take it off.  I started to get out of the bed when I felt like someone was watching me.  I turned around and saw Hisii was staring at me.

“Where am I?” I demanded.

“This is the Hell Palace.” Hisii answered.  “You really don't remember this place?”

“Why would I know anything about this horrible place?” I asked, rather sharply.  “I have to get out of here.  You can either just stand there like nothing's wrong or you can escape with me.”

“Why would you need to escape?” he asked.

“Because we don't know if the Hell Dragon is here.” I said.  “Plus, this place is probably crawling with Dark Soldiers.  As everyone knows, the Dark Soldiers attack anyone in their sights.”

“Indeed the Hell Palace has lots of Dark Soldiers in it.” Hisii said.  “But I've ordered them not to attack you.”

“What do you mean you order-.” I started, then my eyes widened.  “You, 'hisii', 'hell', you're the Hell Dragon!”

“Indeed I am.” the Hell Dragon said.  “I must say-”

The sapphire in my necklace glowed.  I then channeled an Ice spell.

“Rest in a merciless silver embrace!” I chanted.  “Absolute!”

Immediately, the Hell Dragon was encased in ice.  I then ran out of the room.  I ran through the Hell Palace.  Just as I saw the exit, the Hell Dragon appeared and grabbed me.  As he pulled me close the sapphire in my necklace glowed again and I used Frigid Blast, a weapon arte that summoned a spiky ball of Ice and exploded it, sending the Hell Dragon flying.  I rushed out the exit.  I ran until I hit an invisible wall.  I tried all my spells and weapon artes, but I couldn't break through.  The Hell Dragon then appeared behind me and I turned around.

“That barrier can only be broken by the Sword of White Light or a dragon.” the Hell Dragon said.

The Hell Dragon then turned into his dragon form and started towards me.  Then the topaz in my necklace glowed as I channeled an Earth spell.

“Let the ground beneath dance to my command.” I chanted.  “Roche Waltz!”

Then, the earth beneath the Hell Dragon opened up.  A massive boulder shot up and rolled back and forth on the Hell Dragon, who had collapsed.  Then, I felt something strike the back of my neck and I passed out again.  This time, it was Yuu, though I didn't know, who had knocked me out.  He turned into his true form, the Jade Dragon, and flew me back to Umiton.  He then renewed the spells he had put on my bag and my tent and erased my memory of what happened.  He then turned back into the Jade Dragon and flew away.  I then came to and was immediately confused.  Why was I outside of Umiton?  I could have sworn that I had been on my way to the docks to charter a boat.  Well, it doesn't matter either way.  So I went back into Umiton and chartered a boat.  I then steered it in the direction of Kaze Island.  What I didn't know was that the Hell Dragon was thinking about me.

'She was so much stronger than last time.' he thought.  'I'll have to be more aggressive if I want to catch her and keep her here.  I'll go back to the Hell Palace and continue the project.  Then, when it's finished, she'll have no choice but to be mine forever!”

I didn't know it, but my journey was, soon enough, going to be even more perilous than ever before...